Apartments for Rent in Seattle, WA(7,046 Rentals)

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Seattle, WA Local Guide

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Written By:
Justin Habersaat
Editing Staff

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Seattle Overview

Seattle, Washington, known as Emerald City, is a Pacific Northwest metropolis positioned on the eastern shore of Puget Sound encircled by mountains, forests and both fresh water and salt water. It’s the state’s largest city and includes thousands of acres of parkland. Its tech industry is booming and it’s home to the headquarters of Amazon and Microsoft. And of course, it’s also the birthplace of Starbucks. Seattle boasts a diverse cultural scene and hosts dozens of festivals regularly. This city is one of the fastest-growing in the United States which makes it a prime location to find your next apartment.

What is the history of Seattle?

The Seattle area was originally occupied by Native Americans for at least 4,000 years before its founding in 1851. The name Seattle stems from Chief Si’ahl of the Suquamish and Duwamish tribes in that region. The town was initially built on logging and lumber, but eventually developed as a shipping and aircraft industries town.

How is the weather in Seattle?

You’ve probably heard that the weather in Seattle is rainy, with a chance of rain, followed by rain, right? Fortunately, for residents of this lovely city, that weather forecast is far from the truth. Though Seattle is blessed with more than its fair share of precipitation, the sun does indeed shine as well. Granted, the summer weather doesn’t really set in until early to mid-July, but it typically lasts through September. During July and August, you’ll enjoy comfortable temps in the mid-70s and lots of sunny skies. September is still warm, but the sun makes briefer appearances.

Fall in Seattle is “wet season,” starting with October, which sees lots of overcast days and impressive cloud activity. But the rainy part of the season really gets rolling in November, with what feels like unrelenting misting and drizzle. By December, you realize that the mild nature of this climate with still comfortable mid-40s temps stops no one from continuing to enjoy outdoor activities like biking, hiking and running.

January may be snowy winter weather in other states in this great union, but Seattle rarely ever gets the white stuff. Our temperate climes allow year-round growth of rosemary and rose bushes, and by February it actually starts to look like Spring, due to green buds and blooming flowers. March teases fair weather with a bit of sunshine now and again as well as temperatures reaching the 70s on occasion. And the opening cherry blossoms give everything a bright look and feel.

Rounding out the seasons, here comes April. Still drizzling, but no one cares. May showers are some of the last you’ll experience before summer returns. By June, you’re ready for the warm weather and the bright sun. You just need to soldier through the remaining rain showers, overcast days and low 60-degree weather until July arrives.

How do I get around town?

Seattle is full of public transportation options for local residents – from streetcar and monorail to ride sharing. You can get around downtown Seattle and neighboring King County areas with the Metro Transit. Make your way through South Lake Union on a streetcar with 11 stops. The Monorail ferries you from downtown Westlake Center to Seattle Center, and the Link Light Rail is convenient for trips between downtown Seattle and Sea-Tac International Airport. For more personalized transportation needs, you may choose from hotel shuttles and courtesy vehicles, car service, taxis, town cars, limos and ride sharing. Seattle residents enjoy cycling as a viable transportation option as well, and Pronto Cycle Share allows you to rent bikes from kiosks to make your way around the city. It’s also fairly easy to get around much of the city proper on foot. Though a car isn’t necessary in downtown Seattle, private motorists are abundant throughout the rest of the area, and traffic congestion is the norm. To travel to and from Seattle, you can choose flight into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, train by way of the King Street Amtrak Station, or even by boat with Seattle’s two cruise terminals.

What is the Seattle commute like?

Seattle is notorious for its traffic congestion and lengthy commute times. Interstates 5 and 405 are popular highways that experience some of the area’s worst congestion. The good news is that locals have launched Challenge Seattle to research solutions to this frustrating problem.

What are the local media outlets?

Seattle’s top news stations are KOMO 4, KING 5, KIRO 7 and Q13 Fox News. For “print” journalism, on and offline, Seattle residents get theirs from The Seattle Times, Seattlepi, The Stranger, Capitol Hill Times, the Seattle Bulletin and Seattle Weekly. Some popular radio stations in this area include C89.5, KISW FM 99.9, Hot 103.7 and Jack 96.5.

Why live in Seattle, WA?

Seattle is a thriving, pulsing city with endless amenities and attractions to recommend it, as well as an excellent live music scene - making it a wonderful place to call home. There’s always something going on. This appealing city earned the nickname Emerald City for its striking year-round greenery, and if you don’t like snow, this is the spot for you. It even beats climate change according to UW meteorologist Cliff Mass. The food scene is on point. So tasty! Jobs! Even entry-level. With a $15 minimum wage, you are not starting at the bottom, and the unemployment rate is more than 2 points below the national average. And finally, it’s gorgeous here!

What Seattle landmarks should I see?

The Space Needle is practically synonymous with Seattle. This internationally known landmark was built for the futuristic 1962 World’s Fair, inspired by Germany’s Stuttgart Tower. It stands 605 feet tall and the revolving SkyCity Restaurant is at 520 feet. Another wildly popular attraction is the Pike Place Market, where visitors and natives flock for crafts, produce, seafood, eclectic shopping, restaurants and much more. This public market is a quintessential Seattle experience. Rounding out the short list is Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners, and Sky View Observatory rising nearly 1,000 feet into the sky offering the highest public viewing area on the west coast. On an educational tip, the University of Washington Seattle is a top rated research institute known for business, engineering and medicine.

What is there to do around Seattle?

The list of activities, attractions and engaging things to see and do in Seattle is virtually endless. Landmarks, museums, parks, galleries, theaters, lakes, arenas, centers, the zoo and the aquarium are just some of the limitless options available to you. Tour the Boeing factory. Go rafting or kayaking. Cruise Lake Union. The fun never stops.

Any annual festivals or Seattle events to know?

Seattle area festivals, events and fairs are abundant. The Bumbershoot on Labor Day weekend features visual and performing artists and was named one of the five best U.S. festivals by Rolling Stone. The Seattle International Film Festival is the nation’s largest and longest running of its kind and draws in films from all over the world. The Seattle Pride Festival attracts more than 230,000 spectators from around the globe too. And of course another great festival option is the Seafair Summer Festivals that range from June through August celebrating community. There is always something going on to get out of the apartment and enjoy!

Where are the nearby vacation spots?

Seattle is positioned wonderfully for fun and exciting vacation opportunities for local residents to enjoy. Take the family rafting on the Skokomish River or Kayaking along nearby Lopez Island. Enjoy a tour and a day outdoors among glaciers, wildlife and waterfalls at Mount Rainier. Cruise the Puget Sound or escape to the Cascades in the Bavarian Alpine village of Leavenworth. Tour the Snoqualmie Falls or enjoy whale watching in the Sound and around the San Juan islands. Tours, trips, cruises and festivals all provide relaxing or active getaways. Your choice.

Where is the best place to move in Seattle?

There are a lot of great places in which to find the perfect apartment in Seattle. We're here to give you some guidance about some of the popular neighborhoods around town. Wallingford has a small town vibe with the advantages of being a big city with good walkability and a lot of charm. The Fremont area provides Seattle residents with an active counter-culture and art scene along side having great schools and a strong tech presence. If you love beaches and being close to the water, then you might look at Alki as a potential place to move or if you'd prefer to be on the hill top on higher ground with fantastic views, check out neighborhoods like Capitol Hill and Magnolia. No matter where you choose to find your Seattle apartment, you're bound for adventure!

A seaport that has steadily risen to become one of the nation's most prominent and popular cities with a winning combination of fine dining, exciting nightlife, and some of the nation's most famous landmarks, life in Seattle apartments offer a world of opportunity and prestige to residents of Washington State.

Whether you're looking for a new 2 bedroom in Downtown Seattle or are searching for a cheaper bigger place in a private abode in the surrounding neighborhoods, we want to help you connect with the perfect apartment in Seattle that fits all of your tastes and needs. Sort through the many available listings at Apartment Home Living by filtering for your favorite amenities, floor plan sizes, community types, and/or price ranges. Or - try browsing for your next Seattle apartment by location with our easy to use zip code search options or neighborhood listings in areas like Central Waterfront, Broadway and North College Park. No matter where you are looking to live in and around the area, you'll be able to find it here in no time.

Once you've moved into your fantastic new community, of course the key to getting the most out of the exciting Seattle lifestyle is knowing what part of town to get out or the apartment and enjoy. For an excellent start to living in this top notch city and for a true Seattle feel, experience breathtaking panoramic views of the whole city on a visit to the Space Needle followed up with a stroll around the famous seaside market district. And - don't stop there! Be sure to grab some of the nation's best fresh seafood and jam out to the incredible local music scene too! The fun in Seattle never stops.

So what are you waiting for? Discover northwestern life at its finest by finding your new humble abode among the many wonderful options of affordable Seattle apartments at ApartmentHomeLiving.com today!

Seattle, WA
Population: 744,955

Ranked #18

in US Census Population by City

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Pet Friendly Lifestyle
Seattle, WA

Ranked #1

Among cities in Washington for Apartment listings with Pet Friendly Amenities

Pet Friendliness Lifestyle Score

3.5
Pet Friendly

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Remember the 3 Rules of Real Estate:
Location, Location, Location!

Explore Seattle, WA Rentals by Map

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Getting Around Seattle, WA

Walk Score®

82 / 100

Very Walkable

Most errands can be accomplished on foot

Bike Score®

78 / 100

Very Bikeable

Biking is convenient for most trips

Transit Score®

64 / 100

Good Transit

Many nearby public transportation options

Frequently Asked Questions about Seattle

How much are Studio apartments in Seattle?

There are currently 1,614 Studio Apartments in Seattle with rent ranges from $695 to $12,964 with an average price of $1,716.

What is the current price range for One Bedroom Seattle Apartments for rent?

Today's rental pricing for One Bedroom Apartments in Seattle ranges from $690 to $10,919 with an average monthly rent of $2,364.

What does renting a Two Bedroom Apartment in Seattle cost?

The monthly rent prices of Two Bedroom Apartments currently available in Seattle range from $999 to $25,100. Today's average rental price for Two Bedrooms here is $3,283.

How expensive are Seattle Three Bedroom Apartments?

There are currently 635 Three Bedroom Apartments listings available in Seattle on ApartmentHomeLiving.com. The pricing ranges from $1,099 to $31,995 - averaging $4,089 for the location.

Expert Rental Resources

Helpful Apartment Articles, How-To's and Tips

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

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